High Times
In your article "High Hopes" (Mar. '14),
the author mentioned that Health Can-
ada's new set of regulations (the
MMPR)
was accompanied by "surprisingly little
fanfare." To be sure, there hasn't been
any fanfare from doctors, patients or
civil liberties organizations, but the
program has had no shortage of hype.
With medical cannabis being promoted
by ex-prime ministers and Olympic gold
medallists, the atmosphere has been
absolutely circus-like.
Dispensaries such as the Vancouver
Island Compassion Club and the B.C.
Compassion Club have been quietly pro-
viding medicine, knowledge and exper-
tise for nearly two decades to patients
who need medical cannabis. Along the
way, they've garnered support from the
courts, local authorities, the senate, Par-
liament and various health care organiza-
tions, all without the hype accompanying
Health Canada's newest experiment.
Anyone interested in these regula-
tions from a business perspective should
take a long look at Health Canada's track
record when it comes to medical canna-
bis. Even a look at the last set of regula-
tions reveals that, by Health Canada's
own estimates, 30,000 people invested
time, energy and money to be part of
that framework, and all but a handful
are getting burned.
Jamie Shaw
President, Canadian Association of
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
Vancouver
I read editor Matt O'Grady's piece on
medical marijuana ("High Hopes," Mar.
'14), and in his contributor profile he
said that his favourite part of the assign-
ment was "getting to go to Maple Ridge
(because why else would you?)."
First, I think you should be embar-
rassed that you dissed Maple Ridge.
Obviously you haven't spent any time in
the community to know anything about
it. Second, I'm presuming that maybe
you were smoking a little something
before you set out on your assignment
and missed the Golden Ears Park, Alou-
ette Lake, the hiking trails, Meadows
Maze, skydiving, Circle Farm Tours, Pitt
Lake, dykes, great dining, art galleries,
theatres and more.
Those of us who live in Maple Ridge
are proud to call it our home, but maybe
you are onto something. Maybe your
statement will keep the riff-raff from
coming and polluting our city with their
shallow-minded attitudes. Sorry—I guess
feedback
y
p12-13-Feedback_june.indd 12 2014-05-05 3:15 PM
